They later found no evidence to indicate he had been assaulted by anyone, and believe he had harmed himself before the TPD officer arrived.

Tevis acted agitated when the officer approached, Hood said.

“The officer attempted to calm Mr. Tevis and told him he would go in the apartment when his backup arrived,” Hood wrote in an email sent to the media. “Mr. Tevis continued to act very agitated toward the officer, who believed Mr. Tevis was either under the influence of illegal drugs or suffering from a mental episode. Suddenly and without warning, Mr. Tevis continued approaching the officer and then struck the officer at least once and the two began struggling. A witness stated that Mr. Tevis was pushing the officer against the railing and was afraid he was going to push the officer over the rail off the second-floor balcony.”

Hood said that, by using measurements taken at the scene, the officer retreated approximately 24 feet as Tevis continued to approach.

“The officer was able to push Mr. Tevis back toward his apartment where they both fell down,” he said. “The two continued struggling and eventually the officer was able to stand up and back away from Mr. Tevis as the struggle continued. The officer immediately deployed his Taser striking Mr. Tevis in the abdomen area. Again according to witnesses, the Taser had no effect on him and he stood up and yanked the Taser prongs from his body. Mr. Tevis then began charging toward the officer who was retreating from him.

The officer continued backing away from Mr. Tevis and gave him verbal commands to stop and get down.”

The witnesses told investigatos that Tevis, who was holding a large metal spoon, raised his hand over his head and rushed toward the officer.

“At that time the officer pulled his duty weapon as he was backing away and fired two shots striking Mr. Tevis causing him to immediately fall down,” Hood said.